Ben E. Hunter

Biography

Ben E. Hunter is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Treme and raised in the 7th Ward, two of New Orleans' most storied musical neighborhoods. Immersed from an early age in the city’s vibrant cultural traditions, Hunter developed a unique sound that fuses Afro-Caribbean folk, reggae, Black masking Indian chants, and West African rhythms, reflecting the deep historical connections between New Orleans and the Caribbean. His original songs explore the lived experiences and social realities of New Orleans, blending storytelling with a commitment to community and cultural preservation.

Hunter’s career spans over two decades, during which he has become a fixture in the New Orleans music scene. He is best known for his pioneering reggae performances at Café Brazil on Frenchmen Street and as the leader of bands such as Plantation Posse and Ben Hunter & Crucial Roots. His discography includes at least nine studio albums, with notable works like "Voodoo Reggae," "Reality Check," "Soul Avenger Live Intergalactic," and "A Freedom Song." Hunter has headlined at iconic venues including Tipitina’s, House of Blues, Snug Harbor, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where he performed for eight consecutive years. Internationally, he has appeared at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica and was a headliner for the Bob Marley Festival Tour for five years.

After being diagnosed with epilepsy, Hunter took a decade-long hiatus from music but has since returned, fully recovered and seizure-free, bringing a renewed perspective and a fresh sound to his work. His music continues to inspire and influence, celebrated for its powerful conviction, innovative blending of genres, and deep roots in New Orleans' cultural legacy.

Fun Facts

• Hunter was a regular and trend-setting performer at Café Brazil on Frenchmen Street for over a decade before Hurricane Katrina.
• He performed as a headliner for the Bob Marley Festival Tour for five years and at Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
• Hunter took a decade-long break from music after being diagnosed with epilepsy but returned fully recovered and seizure-free.
• His music uniquely blends reggae, Black masking Indian chants, and West African beats, creating a genre-defying New Orleans sound.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Roger Steffens - Reggae archivist and author who recognized and supported Hunter's blending of New Orleans and Jamaican musical traditions (General career guidance and public endorsement) [2000s–present]

Key Collaborators

• Plantation Posse - Band founded and led by Hunter, performing and recording reggae-infused music (Albums including 'Voodoo Reggae', 'Reality Check') [1990s–2000s]
• Ben Hunter & Crucial Roots - Hunter's reggae ensemble, performing live and in studio ('Soul Avenger Live Intergalactic', 'A Freedom Song') [2000s–2010s]

Artists Influenced

• New Orleans reggae and Afro-Caribbean fusion artists - Hunter's pioneering blend of New Orleans and Caribbean styles has inspired a new generation of musicians in the region (Emerging local acts and festival performers) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. How is Love to Define (Cross Roads)
2. Only in New Orleans (Break out Bold)
3. Cross Roads (Cross Roads)
4. Gypsy Queen (Cross Roads)
5. Rock A While (Cross Roads)
6. Marie (Cross Roads)
7. Love Made Right (Cross Roads)
8. Before the Fall (Cross Roads)
9. Twice as Long (Cross Roads)
10. Soul Avenger (Soul Avenger)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz